Gwangju City National Audit... Administrative Integration, GGM, and Jeong Yul-seong Under Scrutiny

People Power Party Criticizes 'Jeong Yul-seong History Park'
Democratic Party Questions Inclusion of May 18 Constitutional Preamble
GGM Sees Differences in Views on 'Broken Promises and Non-fulfillment'

On the morning of the 22nd, Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung is responding to policy questions at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit held in the City Hall conference room.
[Photo by Gwangju City]

During the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's audit of Gwangju City, comprehensive questions and answers were exchanged regarding local extinction and administrative integration, the Gwangju-type jobs initiative Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the Constitution, the Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park, and the airport relocation.

On the 22nd, members of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee conducted a national audit of Gwangju City at the Gwangju City Hall's medium conference room.

At the audit, Lee Dal-hee of the People Power Party proposed the promotion of a 5 million Honam region megacity including Gwangju, Jeonnam, and Jeonbuk, stating, "Perhaps because Mayor Kang Gi-jung has a strong character, communication seems somewhat weak," and added, "It seems that discussions on administrative integration have been cut off, and I regret that the airport relocation issue could be resolved more flexibly."

In response, Mayor Kang said, "Currently, there is no intention to promote administrative integration," and added, "I hope Daegu and Gyeongbuk take the lead and succeed, and (Honam) is working together on metropolitan transportation and RE100."

Shin Jeong-hoon of the Democratic Party urged communication, saying, "During the airport relocation process, the Jeonnam governor said he felt 'unfair,' and the Gwangju mayor probably feels 'frustrated' inside."

Regarding the GGM labor-management issues, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties expressed differing views and urged the implementation of labor-management-government agreements.

Bae Jun-young of the People Power Party said, "The promise not to join the union until cumulative production exceeds 350,000 units was broken by joining the Korean Metal Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions," and added, "While strikes must absolutely not occur, there are concerns that Hyundai Motor might withdraw consignment production and that the win-win jobs might close."

In this regard, Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party pointed out, "The city of Gwangju and the management should reflect on whether they are fulfilling the win-win agreement and demand this from the union," and criticized, "Social wage support such as housing to supplement the 'appropriate wage' of 35 million KRW per year, which is the lowest level in the same industry, has not been implemented. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to say that even the appropriate wage has been maintained."

Gwangju Mayor Kang Ki-jung is taking the oath as a witness at the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit held in the city hall's conference room on the morning of the 22nd.
[Photo by Gwangju City]

Members of the People Power Party criticized the Jeong Yul-seong memorial project, which has been controversial since last year.

Kim Jong-yang asked, "Is it appropriate to commemorate a person who contributed to the enemy country that invaded the South by being a puppet of the North in Gwangju?" and suggested, "Why not remove the name Jeong Yul-seong and use it as a place for the Korea-China Cultural Exchange Foundation or cooperative projects?" Bae Jun-young also added, "Jeong Yul-seong performed about 200 socialist regime praise performances with the Korean People's Army of the Workers' Party of Korea and composed about 30 Korean People's Army march songs."

In response, Mayor Kang explained, "We have already spent 4.5 billion KRW, including 3.6 billion KRW for land compensation and 900 million KRW for facilities, on the historical park project classified as a historical park, the so-called 'Jeong Yul-seong Historical Park,'" and said, "I bought the house and land before becoming mayor, so there is nothing I can do." He continued, "The issue is what to do about it, and I have repeatedly asked (the government side) to entrust it (to Gwangju City's own affairs). If this is really a problem, I think all the appreciation plaques and such given since the Roh Tae-woo administration should be apologized for and canceled. I appeal these points."

Chae Hyun-il of the Democratic Party said, "There should be legal punishment and sanctions against Kim Kwang-dong, chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, who recently mentioned the possibility of North Korean involvement in the May 18 incident," and asked, "Shouldn't the May 18 spirit be included in the Constitution of the Republic of Korea for it to take root nationwide?"

Mayor Kang responded, "We will establish a headquarters to urge constitutional amendment (for the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the preamble), and at that time, we will seek cooperation and consent," and requested, "Please help a lot in the National Assembly."